Relationship between the Prevalence of Thyroid Nodules and Metabolic Syndrome in the Iodine-Adequate Area of Hangzhou, China: A Cross-Sectional and Cohort Study

Objective. The association between thyroid nodule (TN) prevalence and metabolic syndrome (MetS) has only rarely been examined in iodine-adequate areas and needs further clarification. We investigated correlations between MetS and TN prevalence in the iodine-adequate area of Hangzhou, China. Material and Method. A cross-sectional study that screened and recruited individuals for cohort research 3 years later. The 13522 subjects (8926 men, 4596 women) were screened in 2009 for all MetS components, thyroid ultrasound (US), and thyroid function. Cohort research recruited 1610 subjects who were screened in both 2009 and 2012, of whom 1061 underwent follow-up research. Results. The prevalence of TN was higher in the MetS (+) group than in the MetS (−) group (χ2 = 69.63, P < 0.001) and higher in women than in men (χ2 = 11.65, P = 0.001). Waist circumference (WC) was positively related to the prevalence of TN (OR = 1.022, P < 0.001). Individuals with greater WC in 2009 were more likely to suffer from TN in 2012 (RR = 1.434, P = 0.024). Elevated triglyceride level was a risk factor for developing new TN (RR = 1.001, P = 0.035). Conclusion. Both greater WC and elevated triglycerides are risk factors for new TN in this iodine-adequate area in China

Prognostic Value of CD166 Expression in Cancers of the Digestive System: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

<div><p>Objective</p><p>Many studies have reported the prognostic predictive value of CD166 as a cancer stem cell marker in cancers of the digestive system; however, its predictive value remains controversial. Here, we investigate the correlation between CD166 positivity in digestive system cancers and clinicopathological features using meta-analysis.</p><p>Methods</p><p>A comprehensive search in PubMed and ISI Web of Science through March of 2013 was performed. Only articles containing CD166 antigen immunohistochemical staining in cancers of the digestive system were included,including pancreatic cancer, esophageal cancer, gastric cancer and colorectal cancer. Data comparing 3- and 5-year overall survival along with other clinicopathological features were collected.</p><p>Results</p><p>Nine studies with 2553 patients who met the inclusion criteria were included for the analysis. The median rate of CD166 immunohistochemical staining expression was 56% (25.4%–76.3%). In colorectal cancer specifically, the results of a fixed-effects model indicated that CD166-positive expression was an independent marker associated with a smaller tumor burden (T category; RR = 0.93, 95%, CI: 0.88–0.98) but worse spread to nearby lymph nodes (N category; RR = 1.17, 95% CI: 1.05–1.30). The 5-year overall survival rate was showed relationship with cytoplasmic positive staining of CD166 (RR = 1.47 95% 1.21–1.79), but no significant association was found in the pool or any other stratified analysis with 3- or 5- year overall survival rate.</p><p>Conclusion</p><p>Based on the published studies, different cellular location of CD166 has distinct prognostic value and cytoplasmic positive expression is associated with worse prognosis outcome. Besides, our results also find CD166 expression indicate advanced T category and N-positive status in colorectal cancer specifically.</p></div

Results of meta-analysis on CD166 expression.

a<p>PC:pancretic cancer, EC: esophageal cancer, GC: gastric cancer, CRC: colorectal cancer.</p>b<p>median of followup time among all studies included.</p>c<p>median of sample size among all studies included.</p

Flow chart for the selection of articles to include.

<p>Flow chart for the selection of articles to include.</p

CD166 stratified on staining pattern and 5-year overall survival rate in digestive cancer patients.

<p>CD166 stratified on staining pattern and 5-year overall survival rate in digestive cancer patients.</p

Characteristics of included studies.

<p>CA: cancer; H: high expression; L: low expression; NA:not available; TMA: tissue microarray.</p>*<p>data read by GetData Graph Digitizer.</p

<i>β-catenin</i> Overexpression in the Nucleus Predicts Progress Disease and Unfavourable Survival in Colorectal Cancer: A Meta-Analysis

<div><p>Background</p><p><i>β-catenin</i> plays a key role in the progression of colorectal cancer (CRC). However, its prognostic significance for patients with CRC remains controversial.</p><p>Methodology</p><p>Identical search strategies were used to search relevant literatures in the PubMed, Embase and Web of Science databases. The correlation between <i>β-catenin</i> expression and clinicopathological features and prognosis was analyzed.</p><p>Principal Findings</p><p>A total of 18 studies met the inclusion criteria, which comprised 3665 cases. Meta-analysis suggested that <i>β-catenin</i> overexpression in the nucleus was significantly associated with disease free survival (DFS) (n = 541 in 3 studies; HR = 1.87, 95% CI: 1.28–2.71; Z = 3.26; P = 0.001) and overall survival (OS) for CRC patients (n = 2630 in 10 studies; HR = 1.55, 95% CI: 1.12–2.14; Z = 2.62; P = 0.009). However, there was no significant association between <i>β-catenin</i> expression in the cytoplasm and OS (n = 1327 in 3 studies; HR = 1.04, 95% CI: 0.88–1.24, Z = 0.46, P = 0.643). The combined odds ratio (OR) of <i>β-catenin</i> in the nucleus indicated that <i>β-catenin</i> overexpression was associated with advanced stage CRC (n = 950 in 7 studies; OR = 0.71, 95% CI: 0.53–0.94; Z = 2.35; P = 0.019) and metastasis of CRC (n = 628 in 5 studies; OR = 0.49, 95% CI: 0.25–0.96, Z = 2.06, P = 0.039). <i>β-catenin</i> overexpression in the nucleus had no correlation with the tumor site (colon or rectum), differentiation grade, lymph node status or depth of invasion. The pooled ORs were 1.09 (95% CI: 0.41–2.91, Z = 0.18, P = 0.856), 1.27(95% CI: 0.76–2.10, Z = 0.92, P = 0.357), 0.71(95% CI: 0.46–1.09, Z = 1.58, P = 0.115) and 0.82(95% CI: 0.4–1.68, Z = 0.53, P = 0.594).</p><p>Conclusions</p><p>This study showed that <i>β-catenin</i> overexpression in the nucleus, rather than in the cytoplasm, appeared to be associated with progress disease and a worse prognosis for CRC patients.</p></div

Forrest plot of hazard ratio for the association of <i>β-catenin</i> expression in the nucleus with overall survival by subgroup analysis.

<p>A. Subgroup analysis was performed by study location B. Subgroup analysis was performed by evaluation standards.</p

Meta-analysis of <i>β-catenin</i> expression in the nucleus.

<p>REM, random-effects model; FEM, fixed-effects model; OR, odds ratio; CI, confidence interval.</p

Forrest plot of odds ratios for the association of <i>β-catenin</i> expression in the nucleus with clinicopathological features.

<p>A. ORs with corresponding 95% CIs of the <i>β-catenin</i> expression in the nucleus with Dukes’ stages. OR<1 suggested that <i>β-catenin</i> in the nucleus was less in patients with Duke A/B than with Duke C/D and it was associated with advanced stage CRC. B. ORs with corresponding 95% CIs of the <i>β-catenin</i> expression in the nucleus with metastasis. OR<1 suggested that <i>β-catenin</i> in the nucleus was positively associated with metastasis of CRC.</p